Over the last 43 years I have fished almost every section of the mighty Winnipeg River. I got my start in the fishing industry as a guide at Eagle Nest Lodge, some 38 kilometres upriver from Pointe du Bois. My first tournament was held at Tall Timber Lodge located at the mouth of the Bird River. The Bird was the place where I caught my first smallmouth bass and what a thrill that was.
What I am trying to say is that this river has been in my DNA right from the beginning. I almost always make at least one trip there every year. This part of the world with its large expanse of fishable water and great scenery is just a spectacular destination. It doesn’t hurt that much of the river edges on the Canadian Shield.
I guided at Eaglenest Lodge for three years from 1982 to 1984 and while the fishing was good with high quality management regulations in place for years it is now crazy good. We held our Hooked 15th Anniversary Celebration up at Trail End Camp and the fishing was lights out. Find a current seam and you caught smallmouth bass. On the shallow rockpiles we found the walleyes stacked at times with the current and wind blowing bait on them. At one spot friend and biologist Eric Mullen caught 12 walleye on 13 casts on a shallow diving crankbait. On the same day with Paul Conchatre in the boat, we wound some big pike just off a reef in the main lake. You just never know what you will catch.
LAC DU BONNET
The Lac du Bonnet section of the river provides a plethora of fishing opportunities. While walleye is the most popular target species, the smallmouth bass fishery has exploded. You will find them everywhere and they grow to massive proportions. Local angler Matt Gelley has made many a YouTube video on catching these great game fish. You can find them at MG Outdoors.
For those looking to catch a trophy northern pike, this section of the river from Pinawa to the McArthur Falls dam holds some of the largest pike in the province. I can remember many a day when trolling for walleye when we have hooked into a Master Angler pike. In the spring they will be relating to bay and weed edges but when summer rolls around they are the rock humps and drop-offs around the many islands in this section of the river.
In late summer many of the anglers turn their attention to the mooneye that abound in the faster water in the section by Lac Du Bonnet, down river from the Seven Sisters Dam. There is also a good fall run of walleye up to the dam.
One other species that has gained is popularity is the black crappie. There is a very good population in the Lee River along with some jumbo perch. According to Regional Fishing Manager and friend Eric Mullen, test netting has found crappies through out the system.
Don’t be too intimated by all your options and the amount of water that is fishable in this section of the Winnipeg River. There is some great detailed mapping available to anglers. LakeMaster has an HD Map of this section of river as does Anglers Edge Mapping.
Purchase of these products will cut down searching time dramatically and might save you a lower unit on your outboard. When it comes to an angling destination this section of the river has it all. It is a multi-species bonanza and with reduced limits along with a slot size it will only get better as the years go on. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
